The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Jan Schakowsky Says "Public Option" Is Way to Single-Payer Health Care

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The Spectacle Blog

Jan Schakowsky Says "Public Option" Is Way to Single-Payer Health Care

By Philip Klein on 5.4.09 @ 4:41PM

Here's a video of Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky making explicit something I've been writing about for a long time -- that introducing a government-run health care "option," as favored by Obama and Democrats, will destroy private insurance. And this is not an uninteded consequence, but part of the very strategy Democrats will employ to achieve a socialized, or single-payer, health care system in America. You don't have to take my word for it anymore. Just watch the video.

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Deborah D| 5.5.09 @ 7:21AM

Hey they're in power so they think they can say or do whatever they want...and they're probably right. With all the dough Obama put into ACORN's coffers with the Swindle Us bill, they probably don't have to worry about getting re-elected...they'll buy their seats.

Bob| 5.5.09 @ 8:46AM

Philip, while I tend to agree with your conclusion, I find it interesting that most insurance companies actually want a public option. This is preferable to them than being forced to cover a broader range of people. They are absolutely afraid of dropping the pre-existing conditions limitation in their policies because of adverse selection. The industry would be happy if less people were covered and they were more flexible.

A public option could work if priced properly. Certainly, the uninsurable people would be placed in the public option. If the public option were limited in terms of doctor choice coverage, it might actually be better for private insurance profitability Remember that insurance companies don't really want their plans open to the general public. They prefer supplying companies with a more diverse census. I worked in group insurance and have gone through these calculations.

Again, while I agree with your conclusions, it might be worth your effort as a former financial reporter to actually talk to some group insurance actuaries to better understand the underlying economics. Those facts may modify your position....

Burlington| 5.6.09 @ 1:21PM

I believe that the Marxists will keep the door open ajar, for the insurance companies, just to fake them out until the last minute, then SLAM they will be left out. Obama will never allow a for profit health insurance company such as United Health Care to survive? That is not in Alinsky's play book. Bezmenov calls them useful idiots.